Our country has a long and great tradition of leadership. Increasingly, we recognise that it has to be not only national leadership but our global leadership, where we are a part of a larger group of human beings seeking a better world and a better life, which makes the greatest difference to our lives.

It would be a tragedy if this country gave up that kind of leadership because it is essential in the modern world, in which countries are totally interconnected with one another.

We have warred for generations over land, resources and ideas, spilling the blood of our children so that one small corner of the continent can put its flag in another small corner of the continent. In the last century we called this to an end. We agreed that we had finally had enough of the bloodshed and instead collaborated to build a stronger, more peaceful Europe.

Why do we not hear from more women, more minorities, More young people ?

Britain is recognised as a leading voice in Europe, not just by its European neighbours but countries all over the world, including America and China. Leaving Europe won’t make the EU go away - it will only strip us of our right to influence it, leaving us isolated in our own back yard, less recognised on the world stage and with many of the rules still imposed on us.

Influence in Brussels

The UK has huge influence in Brussels – we have 10% of MEPs and all decisions made have to be signed off by UK ministers. Leaving Brussels would give us the illusion of sovereignty but actually tie our hands and give us no power to influence EU legislation.

Ability to shape our own future

Our influence and ability to shape our own future is tied up with our membership of the EU. If we want to leave Europe but maintain our access to the Single Market we would have to comply with many of the laws and contribute to the budget. Take Norway for example – they are forced to comply with 75% of EU law.

What’s more, Norway is the 10th largest contributor to the EU budget without having any say over how the money is spent. Former Norwegian Europe Spokesperson, Nikolai Astrup, has warned: “If you want to run Europe, you must be in Europe

Michael Crick, Channel 4 News’s political correspondent, has spent months investigating the Conservative Party’s election expenses from last year’s general election, focusing on the party’s “battle buses”, which moved activists around the country, and the associated costs incurred (e.g. hotels).

Last night’s programme featured another report, this time looking at the use of the buses in the South-West, where the Conservatives successfully targeted every one of the 14 seats held by the Lib Dems:

In response to Crick’s investigation, the Conservatives accepted that they had failed to declare some expenses for hotels due to what they termed an “administrative error”.

Yet the more fundamental question which the Electoral Commission is apparently investigating is whether the costs associated with the battle bus should properly have been accounted for on local rather than national expenses returns. The Tories insist that they should not, but if the Electoral Commission takes a different view it on the face of it could mean that in several constituencies, the Conservatives exceeded spending limits.

Last year Local Lib Dem Councillor Dennis Meredith ( Talavera), arranged a survey to find out why Billing Brook Lakes were silting up and polluted.

There were problems with water flows, blocked culverts , run-off from Round Spinney Industrial Estate and rubbish dumped in water courses. The report highlighted years of neglect and possible health hazards.

Thanks to Dennis’s persistence both the Environment Agency and Northampton Borough Council did extensive work this, together with more rainfall last winter, means the lakes are looking much healthier this spring

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Material relating to the Liberal Democrat candidate in the Delapre and Briar Hill by-election published and promoted by Alastair Thomson on behalf of Michael Maher, both of 120-126 Kingsley Park Terrace, Northampton NN2 7HJ

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